IMAGINATION
TECHNOLOGIES: NEXT GENERATION KYRO IIT 3D GRAPHICS
ACCELERATOR
12TH MARCH 2001
IMAGINATION
TECHNOLOGIES' PARTNER STMICROELECTRONICS ANNOUNCES
NEXT GENERATION KYRO II(tm) 3D GRAPHICS
ACCELERATOR AND CUSTOMER HERCULES
Imagination
Technologies Group plc (LSE: IMG), the leading
provider of human computer interface intellectual
property (IP), reports that STMicroelectronics
(NYSE: STM) has today launched its revolutionary
KYRO II(tm) 3D graphics and video
accelerator based on PowerVR(tm) technology>
from Imagination Technologies. STMicroelectronics
has also announced a major customer,
Hercules (Euronext Paris, Guillemot - 6672), who
is launching graphics cards based on KYRO II.
Hercules, part of the Guillemot Corporation, is
one of the most respected names in PC graphics
cards and a leading supplier of branded graphics
products worldwide.
KYRO II is ST's
second generation of PC graphics controllers based
on the PowerVR architecture. By its more
intelligent use of computing and memory resources,
KYRO II sets a new performance standard in the
graphics processor
industry. KYRO II silicon is now in volume
production. Under licensing arrangements,
Imagination Technologies receives royalties on
processors based on PowerVR, including KYRO and
KYRO II.
KYRO II utilizes
the innovative PowerVR Tile Based Rendering to
avoid the memory bottleneck and deliver
state-of-the-art 3D graphics image quality and
leading edge 3D graphics performance, with crisp
2D graphics, studio quality video playback, and
DVD decode support. Hercules' 3D PROPHET 4500
features the best of KYRO II technology and is the
world's first top-performance graphics board that
is within every gamer's reach. It combines a very
efficient design, 64MB of fast on-board RAM and
the perfect drivers to offer the ultimate
experience to the whole gaming community with both
current and future games. 3D PROPHET 4500
demonstrates clear performance leadership when
compared on popular games and industry benchmarks
with other products in its class.
Claude Guillemot,
President of Hercules Technologies says: "The
key in computer graphics is today to be able to
cope with the increasing scene complexity and
bandwidth and large texture volumes without
sacrificing the perfect quality of high resolution
images. ST, with its technical expertise,
came out in an incredibly short time with a
breakthrough architecture for the KYRO II
graphic controller that will delight the most
ambitious game developers. Which is why we have
chosen ST's KYRO II as the foundation of our new
product family."
Tim Chambers, VP
and General Manager of ST Graphics Product
Division says: "We are delighted with
Hercules' decision to use the KYRO II in their
critically acclaimed 3D PROPHET product line. As
the leading independent graphics board supplier in
the US retail market, Hercules has the brand
recognition
and market presence to bring the very significant
benefits of KYRO II to the broadest numbers
of consumers."
Hossein Yassaie,
CEO of Imagination Technologies says:
"Through the inherent benefits of the PowerVR
architecture, ST's KYRO II will deliver
performance-leading graphics combined with
enhanced image quality at an affordable cost.
Hercules' extensive market presence will strongly
reinforce
PowerVR as a key technology in the PC space."
About Hercules
Technologies: Founded
in 1982 in the U.S., Hercules developed the
industry's first high-resolution
graphics board for personal computers. From its
roots in establishing the monochrome graphics
standard, Hercules proceeded to pioneer advances
in color graphics solutions. Over the years,
Hercules has consistently produced innovative and
exciting products including graphics, image and
video products, and recently, audio solutions,
mostly for the gaming community. In November 1999,
Hercules was purchased by Guillemot Corporation.
The Guillemot
Corporation group develops, manufactures and
distributes PC and console peripherals, providing
high-quality products for gamers and music
enthusiasts worldwide. The group is also proud to
include officially licensed Ferrari, NASCAR, Top
Gun and US Air Force products as part of its
accessories line designed by Thrustmaster,
acquired by the group in July 1999. Guillemot
Corporation is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange,
Sicovam code 6672, and is currently present in 14
countries, distributing its products in a total of
45 countries.
About
STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics (formerly
SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global
independent semiconductor company, whose shares
are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the
ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The
Company designs, develops, manufactures and
markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated
circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide
variety of microelectronic applications, including
telecommunications systems, computer
systems, consumer products, automotive products
and industrial automation and control systems. In
2000, the Company's net revenues were $7,813.2
million and net earnings were $1,452.1 million.
Further information on ST can be found at
www.st.com.
About PowerVR
Technologies: PowerVR Technologies - a
division of Imagination Technologies - develops
and markets the unique PowerVR graphics/video
technology. Existing partners licensing the
technology include NEC and STMicroelectronics.
PowerVR Technologies design wins have
included Sega's latest video games console,
Dreamcast, the Naomi arcade system, which is used
in the majority of new arcade machines worldwide,
and numerous PC add-in and OEM customers. More
information is available on the PowerVR
Technologies web site at www.powervr.com
About Imagination
Technologies: Imagination Technologies Group plc
is an international company that develops,
licenses and supplies market-leading 2D/3D
graphics, digital video, audio and speech
technologies and products for consumer
entertainment
and PC Markets. The company has deployed and
planned technologies for games
consoles, PCs, arcade entertainment machines,
digital set-top boxes, in car
information/entertainment systems, and mobile
devices. Since it was founded
in 1985, the company has introduced, via licensing
arrangements or directly, a succession of
innovative technologies, silicon chips and add-in
boards, which have played a major role in the
development of multimedia and computer-based
entertainment systems. Imagination Technologies
Group plc has
its corporate headquarters in the United Kingdom
and is publicly traded on the London Stock
Exchange (FTSE:IMG). More information is available
on the Imagination Technologies web site at
www.imgtec.com
